National 4-H Congress is a unique leadership opportunity for 4-H members from all
50 states.

National 4-H Congress is the flagship event of the 4-H program. Youth from the United
States and its territories have participated in this youth leadership development
conference. The Congress provides youth, ages 14-19, a quality, educational, and cross-cultural
experience that exceeds what any state independently provides. It is designed to address
the needs and issues of youth while helping to develop capable, competent, and caring
citizens.

The program is built upon the Cooperative Extension System's belief that young people
can be significant partners in addressing the issues that face our nation especially
those affecting youth. Each year a National Design Team of Extension educators, 4-H
youth, and 4-H adult volunteers analyze current youth issues and determine the most
effective ways to address them. The program combines plenary sessions, seminars, discussion
groups, and a service learning experience. The nation's most outstanding community
leaders, speakers, and educators present the most current and timely information available.

The Arkansas delegates are state Record Book winners from across the state.

National 4-H Conference is the pinnacle experience in 4-H Citizenship, providing the
opportunity for young people to connect, learn, engage, lead and impact their communities,
their nation and their world.

National 4-H Conference is an opportunity for 4-H members from the 50 states plus
Puerto Rico and Canada to participate in decision-making sessions and public relations
forums. 4-H'ers are not only involved in working conferences, but have an opportunity
to sightsee in Washington, D.C., and share concerns on a one-to-one basis with the
Arkansas congressional delegation. National 4-H Conference is held at the National
4-H Center in Washington, D.C.

The purpose of National 4-H Conference is to engage 4-H youth in personal development
experiences that will increase knowledge, resources, and skills, discuss topics affecting
youth and 4-H programming nationwide, and empower and mobilize 4-H youth to create
positive social change in their communities in a meaningful and genuine way.

At National 4-H Conference Delegates:

Learn - Provide youth a broad-based learning experience in which they will acquire practical
knowledge and skills to reinforce the attitudes and motivation that will give them
a heightened sense of responsibility and capacity to connect as active members of
their communities, nation and world.

Practice - Engage youth in hands-on educational activities in which they explore, practice and
master existing and newly developed skills/knowledge in civic engagement, civic education
and personal development.

Apply - Facilitate direct opportunities for youth to apply what was learned in real world
experiences in which they develop leadership skills using their voices, work, ideas
and/or behavior to make a difference in their community, country and world.

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) is a 4-H leadership program for high school youth
from across the country.

What does it mean to be a good citizen? Are you being a strong civic leader for your
community, country and world?

For more than 50 years, Arkansas 4-H Members along with youth from all across the
country travel to Washington, DC each summer to partake in the preeminent 4-H citizenship
and leadership experience—Citizenship Washington Focus.

Youth use Washington, DC as a living classroom, learning about the history of our
nation, the leaders who have shaped it and their role in civic affairs both nationally
and locally. CWF isn't just another DC field trip – students learn essential civic
leadership skills and leave with the tools that will allow them to bring about real
change in their communities.

Participants stay at the 4-H Conference Center during the week-long trip, and will
have the opportunity to also visit national landmarks and meet with members of Congress.
The Arkansas youth delegation usually attend CWF the second week of July.